Mizoram Premier League 2019: Round 13 Roundup

Electric Veng FC keeps its semifinal hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Chhinga Veng FC in Round 13 of the Mizoram Premier League. Aizawl FC and Mizoram Police FC are secure in the first and second spots, respectively.

At the bottom of the table, Chawnpui FC beat FC Venghnuai in a bid to avoid the drop. Ramhlun North FC appears to be destined to be heading to the First Division.

Chawnpui live to fight another day

In a clash between relegation candidates, T Lalnunpuia might have just kept Chawnpui FC in the Mizo top division for another season.

With seven minutes to go, the match locked at 2-2.

A draw would take FC Venghnuai to 12 points and safe from relegation. For Chwanpui, the draw would mean an uphill task to avoid relegation or the relegation playoffs.

Coming off the bench, the Lalnunpuia took his chance well to slot the ball past FC Venghnuai goalkeeper and put Chawnpui ahead in the 83rd minute.

The points table looked different now: Chawnpui 11, Venghnuai 11. The former were ahead on goal difference.

Arguably, Chawnpui deserved the win. They went 2-0 ahead within 20 minutes, courtesy a brace from Vanlalthlamuana.

The deficit was cut in half in the 21st minute. Laldampuia pulling one back for Venghnuai.

12 minutes into the second half the scores were level. Venghnuai forward, Vanlalthanga, hit the back of the net with a beauty.

The match was heading towards a draw before the substitute changed the course of the match – and perhaps the season. Lalnunpuia capitalized on a goalkeeping error to help his team overtake their opponents in the points table courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.

Chawnpui has the upper hand in the final round. Their opponents Mizoram Police has nothing to play for. As for Venghnuai, they face an Electric Veng team who are determined to keep their semifinal hopes intact.

First playoff match end goalless

FULL TIME: Kanan FC 0 – 0 Bethlehem FC

The playoff match between Mizoram First Division teams, Kanan FC and FC Bethlehem, ended in a 0-0 draw. The second leg will take place on November 28.

FC Bethlehem was relegated from the Mizoram Premier League at the end of the 2018 season. Their opponents, Kanan FC, lost out to Ramhlun FC in the playoffs in the bid to qualify for the 2019 season